Buffer-layer-assisted morphological manipulation of metal nanoparticle arrays by laser irradiation

We evaluate the performance of an adhesion buffer layer between ordered metal nanoparticle arrays and dielectric substrates on the particles' morphological manipulation by pulsed laser irradiation. The experiments are performed irradiating with only one nanosecond pulse at 355 nm, triangular nanoprism arrays fabricated by nanosphere lithography (polystyrene spheres with 1030 nm in diameter), followed by film deposition by magnetron sputtering. The reshaping of the nanoprisms into spheres as result of laser-induced melting is investigated for three different materials: prisms made of Cr, Au and Au with a buffer layer made of Cr (Au/Cr). These elements are chosen because their interfacial interaction with the substrates (soda-lime glass and fused silica) is quite different. Our results show that single pulse irradiation at fluences above the metal melting threshold allows the formation of disorder spheres for the case of Au, but ordered spheres for the cases of Cr and Cr/Au. Therefore, the function of the buffer layer is to improve the adhesion between the prisms and the substrate, thus allowing their reshaping by laser-induced melting but preserving their position. The strong interaction between Cr and the substrate is also exploited for the nanostructuration of the substrate by the formation of ordered holes with sub-micrometer dimensions. These findings reboot laser postprocessing of ordered structures fabricated by nanosphere lithography exploit to explore new capacities of nanostructuration

Essentialism and the Criminal Legal System

Objective: Existing literature has yet to conceptualize and consolidate research on psychological essentialism and its relation to the criminal legal system, particularly in terms of explaining how individuals with justice involvement have been and could be differentially impacted across contexts. This article explores essentialism in the criminal legal system, including its potential consequences for inequity. Method: We review research on essentialism as a psychological construct, its common applications to different social categorizations, and its trickle-down effects within the criminal legal system. Results: Empirical work suggests that biases stemming from essentialism have the potential to severely affect individuals within the criminal legal system. Beyond assigning immutable properties across social groups, essentialism can give rise to biased attributions of responsibility and blame and affect decisions and behavior within three core domains of the criminal legal system: jury decision making, sentencing decisions, and public support for punitive policies. Conclusions: We propose future policy recommendations to mitigate the adverse effects of essentialism in the criminal legal system, focusing especially on how using and adopting person-first language (focusing on people before characteristics) across society and policy can help to combat bias across criminal legal domains. Future research is needed on how to best address the adverse effects of essentialism and its biasing effects in the criminal legal system, as well as to examine the effects of essentialism in different legal contexts

A exposição ocupacional ao mercúrio metálico no módulo odontológico de uma unidade básica de saúde localizada na cidade de São Paulo Occupational exposure to metallic mercury in the dentist's office of a public primary health care clinic in the city of São Paulo

Este artigo visa discutir a exposição ocupacional ao mercúrio metálico de dentistas e assistentes, enfocando a avaliação biológica, os efeitos na saúde e a avaliação ambiental. Os métodos utilizados foram visitas à unidade, avaliação ambiental, mapas de riscos, dosagens de mercúrio urinário e avaliação da saúde. Os resultados referentes ao ambiente e processos de trabalho mostraram: 1) as concentrações de vapor de mercúrio que impregnavam o revestimento ou tubulações de encanamentos variaram entre 0,001 e 0,051 mg/m3 de ar; 2) exposição ocupacional, havendo 62,5% dos trabalhadores com dosagens de mercúrio urinário entre 10 e 49µg/l e 37,5% abaixo de 10 µg/l em 1994. Estes trabalhadores estiveram expostos desde 1992, sendo suas dosagens de mercúrio urinário de 1992 inferiores às atuais; 3) vazamento de mercúrio e amalgamação inadequada, em função de um amalgamador defeituoso; 4) a necessidade de usar um pedaço de camurça para obter um amalgama homogêneo e remover o excesso de mercúrio; 5) a existência de riscos combinados e simultâneos na situação de trabalho. Os resultados concernentes à saúde mostraram: 1) a prevalência de sintomas relativos ao Sistema Nervoso Central; 2)sinais do quadro neurológico e/ou do quadro psíquico, mas não do quadro gastrintestinal; 3) intoxicações crônicas de leves a moderadas em 62,5% dos trabalhadores.<br>This paper discusses occupational exposure to metallic mercury among dentists and dental assistants, focusing on biological evaluation, effects on heaith, and environmental evaluation. Methods included visits to the clinic, hazard maps, urinary and environmental mercury measurements, and evaluation of health status. Results for the environment and work processes showed that mercury vapor concentrations impregnating surfaces and piping varied from 0.001 to 0.051 mg/m3 in air; occupational exposure with 62.5% of health workers having HgU ranging from 10 to 49 mg/l and 37.5% having HgU below 10 mg/l in 1994, while workers' previous measures (from 1992) were lower in every single case; an outflow of mercury and inadequate amalgamation due to a faulty amalgamator, the need for using a piece of chamois to obtain a homogeneous amalgam and remove excess mercury; the existence of combined hazards in the environment, and that all workers had been exposed since 1992. Results for workers' health showed a prevalence of symptoms from lesions to the central nervous system; central nervous system signs; and that mild-to-moderate chronic poisoning was found in 62.5% of workers